Page 10 - 2019 Winter Newsletter Baca Family Historical Project

HJM7 UPDATE

LATEST NEWS: Joyce just informed us that HJM7 Memorial has passed the House unanimously 60-0.

Photo: Joyce Gonzales, Genealogist testifies
before the NM Legislature Health & Human
Services Committee.

The presentation of House Joint
Memorial 7 went well this morning thanks
to those who took time out of their busy
schedule to voice their thoughts and
experiences with CCM. This made all the
difference! All the representatives were in
favor and now I believe the memorial will
go to the senate for approval. It will be
helpful for all of us to advocate to our
senators and attend the next
presentation.

Tim Gallegos, Board Member
Angioma Alliance
February 20, 2019

HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW courtesy of

A bill is an idea for a new law, or an idea to change or get rid of an STEP FOUR: Floor Action A bill that is sent by committee(s) with
existing law. Ideas for bills can come from anyone—legislators, a “do pass” or “do not pass” recommendation returns to the chamber
community members, organizations, even corporations (House or Senate) where it is introduced for an up or down vote. This
is called the third reading. During the third reading, the bill enters final
 STEP ONE: Introduce a Bill. A member of the House of debate on the full floor and amendments are discussed and voted on.
Representatives or the Senate can introduce a bill. The member who Members vote to pass or not to pass the bill. Bills that do not pass on
introduces the bill is called the sponsor. Anyone can co-sponsor a bill, the third reading do not move on in the process. If a bill passes in the
including members from different political parties. (Memorial House of Representatives, it goes through a similar process in the
introduced by Rep. Miguel Garcia.) Senate. Before a bill becomes law, it must be approved by both
chambers of the legislature. The bill must pass with the same wording
in the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can go to the
 STEP TWO: Send to Committee. Once introduced, a bill gets Governor for approval. If the Senate amends a House bill, or vice
assigned a number and sent to a committee. Currently, the House of versa, the bill must go back to the original chamber and be approved
Representatives has 16 committees and the Senate has 9 committees. with the amendments before proceeding. Sometimes, bills with
The number of committees may change depending on elected different amendments end up in a conference committee where a
leadership. (Sent to Health & Human Services Committee)
small group of members from each chamber try to work out the
differences. (Bill passed the House unanimously 60-0; awaiting vote in
 STEP THREE: Committee Hears the Bill Committees study the bill house)
and hold hearings where people testify in support of or in opposition
to the bill. Members of the committee can suggest changes (called  STEP FIVE: Governor’s Desk If the bill passes both chambers, it goes
amendments) to the bill for the committee to consider. After listening to the Governor for approval. There are three possible outcomes. 1.
to public and expert testimony and proposed amendments, the Governor signs the bill. 2. Governor vetoes (or rejects) the bill. The
committee will vote on the bill. If more than half of the committee House of Representatives and Senate may override the veto by a two-
members support the bill, it moves on to the next step. If the thirds vote of each chamber. 3. Governor takes no action. If the
committee does not vote on the bill or the bill discussion is tabled in Governor does not sign or veto the bill by the end of the 20-day
committee, the bill cannot move on. When this happens it is called period, the bill is killed by what is called a “pocket veto.”
“killing the bill.” (Joyce Gonzales testifies before committee.)

While a bill is waiting for the Governor to make a decision, supporters should call the Governor’s off ice, sends emails, and
participate in social media campaigns to urge the Governor to sign or veto the bill. Most bills that become laws take eff ect 90
days after the end of the legislative session, unless otherwise specified.